Elder and Elder DaBell

In Institute a student interrupted our lesson, "Sister DaBell, why are you wearing Elder DaBell's tag?" I looked down, and sure enough I grabbed the wrong name badge. We had a good laugh. A few weeks later our wonderful neighbors - Pili's took us to dinner for my birthday. We sat by the ocean, ate, and visited for hours. We felt like we were on vacation. I loved the picture they took of us and wanted to include it on our blog. After it was posted, I examined it more closely. I had Elder DaBell's tag on AGAIN. I had worn it the entire night. No wonder people say, "Hello Elders."

Sweet Ginger made me my personal name badge; so I wouldn't get mixed up anymore.

Institute at it's best

Sweet Ariel

The tug-o-war began. Pull Elder DaBell!

Wow, they are strong.

The Young Single Adults were off for Spring Break from American Samoa Community College. They planned games, food, and then a swim in the ocean. They just love to be with each other. We were happy to be with them.

I stayed out of the "war", with Tautai and his cousin, Nela.

Next, we tossed water balloons. Lopa, our Instutite Presidents (white shirt) is now a missionary in New Zealand.

We all lined up to throw the water balloons.

Yea! Isapela caught hers.

Taua was happy just to be there. Fia fia.

Sila caught hers also.

Jasmay and Ezra, great catch.

Adrian got soaked.

Meilani is drenched.

We had to handle the balloons so gently.

What a wonderful group. Roni and sweet Nela.

We love Adrian.

We had to keep the balloon in the air with our vae (feet) and ulu (head);

while we kept our mata (eyes) on the balloon.

Charity, who adds to her name, "the pure love of Christ", is a great example of pure love. She is with cute Tautai and Nela.

Smiling Meilani

We always use the board when we teach. Sometimes it gets pretty jumbled.

Frankie, Wesley, Adrian, and John

Niki and Sister DaBell

Bowie and his sweet sisters: Lapu and Cherish.

We went to wish Brent Schwenke II (Bowie) farewell for his mission. While waiting for his visa into Australia he is serving in Savai'i speaking Samoan.

We met a wonderful group of high school church members at McDonald's in Fagatogo.

Fai se miti lelei - Sweet Dreams

This sweet young girl followed us all around the store, smiling all the while. She made our day.

Elder DaBell ordered some new nets and was determined to hang them.

Sister Holland (right), and her childhood friend, Latea. They were so cute together.

We took our car to be serviced and waited in the waiting room. Before we knew it, these men were sawing logs. Isn't she aulelei (pretty)?

Pres. Masoe helped Elder DaBell cut down our fa'i pula (ripe bananas).

Jed, check out these fish hooks.

These painting and taxidermy were on the wall of Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

Do you want a ride? Ete mana'o i se auala?

Elder DaBell with football player Jonathan Fanene. He returned to the island for his parents wedding anniversary.

How many maile (dogs) can you find?

Frankie (pink) from our Institute and her family. She is strong in the gospel, and will graduate from Institute next week.

Many boarded their homes in preparation for Hurricane Rene, which was headed straight for the island. We waited all weekend expecting the worst. It didn't come. Monday people crept out of their home and began to move about. We saw this sign below painted on the Mr. Lava Lava shop.

Manuia, we were blessed.

One evening we watched a pili gecko crawl up the wall, slide down, crawl up, and slide down. Finally he found refuge above our picture of the First Presidency. They usually move quite quickly, yet he sat so still and watched us move back and forth all evening.

I took a photo of this sign which faces the main road on the island. The Nu'uuli Young Women are not afraid to stand up, or stand out for what they believe.

Devondale milk and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are both 100% pure. I try to keep the white board interesting. Pike, (pronounced Pea kay) ready for baptism, and her mother. They are Moroni Matagi's sister and niece, our friend from Salt Lake.

We watched this man weave a basket, to catch breadfruit, and carry coconuts.

Fa'amanuiaga, which means blessings, and Ruta her friend.

I loved this toeaina (old man) weeding in his front yard. We drove by just in time.

These young men each harvested a palm frond. Just think of the possibilities for shade and weaving baskets and fine mats.

A very common mode of transporation.

Purple is their favorite color. We dressed to cheer them on, and you should see them play. They left the other team in the dust.